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Top Yoruba leader Chief Yinka Odumakin, who is also a human rights activist, spokesman of globally recognised group, Afenifere, Pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, is dead.

Details of his death are still sketchy but a source told Daily Trust that he died from COVID-19 complications.

Chief Yinka Odumakin is major player in the national struggles most especially in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) from the early 1990s notably in the fight against the regime of General Sani Abacha after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

He was recently also one of the spokespersons of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), the body representing ethnic nationalities in the South-West, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt.

He has consistently taken on the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government over alleged impartiality and favouritism in appointment into various offices.

He married to another activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin, has been one of the strongest critics of the present government. In 2013, Odumakin was presented an International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State. The award was made by Michelle Obama and John Kerry at the US State Department’s Dean Acheson Auditorium in celebration of International Women’s Day. In the year 2019, Dr Odumakin facilitated the training of participants at the 10th Civil Society Organisation Professional, Effectiveness and Therapy (CSO-CPET) Workshop themed Mobilising Women for Change.